The clerk called to ask Tom and I to give the prayers in Sacrament Meeting last week. I told Tom I’d do it as long as I could give the opening prayer.* Tom said the clerk said that was fine, and we were on. And then we forgot. But through some weird karmic time warp thing, we were early to church anyway. For the first time in several months. It might have had something to do with my getting up early and then not starting any new books, and having my Sunbeam lesson all ready the night before. (I know, the on-top-of-things-and-on-the-ball-ness is almost scary.)
*For my in-laws and others who might be baffled by Mormon-speak: some people think only priesthood holders (i.e. only men of a certain age and standing) should open meetings, while women are free to benedict them. The official Church handbook says it can go either way. I was pleasantly surprised that the clerk was un-fazed, because in my recollection I don’t recollect a woman invocating, but of course that could be because I have been late for several months. a-hem.) Also, as an explanatory note, Sunbeams are three-year old children we’re trying to indoctrinate into the gospel. Indoctrinate has a negative connotation, but I think it actually is what we’re doing, right? This morning I read them the Jamie Lee Curtis book “Today I Feel Silly.” I edited out the part where she mentions having diarrhea on the day she doesn’t feel well, and didn’t tell my teaching partner it was by a Hollywood-type, but other than that I feel it was perfectly appropriate. So was Wemberly Worried. This was for lesson #21 “I have feelings.” Perhaps I should start a primary lesson resource blog? (We also talked about the Prodigal Son. I never before realized the vast scope for emotion in that story.)
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I also teach the sunbeams and wish I would of thought of reading that book for that lesson! It is one of my favorite’s!
Shannon Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
I love reading some picture books to the kids, and I always use the kid scripture readers too. Makes it a little more “storytime at the library,” but in a good way, I think. I can’t stand most of the “activity verses” they include. urg.
When the clerk called to ask us to pray a few weeks ago, he asked me which one I wanted to say. I opted for the opening. My husband was so worried about forgetting to say the closing that he nearly got up after the sacrament hymn and ended the meeting.
And I love Wemberly. She’s so darling.
Shannon Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
That is funny. I started saying something about “bless our children to be quiet” and decided I should phrase it more like “reverent”… I think my home prayers maybe focus too much on how I would like my kids to behave.
Both those books are awesome for that lesson! We love them!
A woman opened our meeting today as well. Her husband closed. No biggie.
Shannon Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
I agree it’s not (or shouldn’t be), but my current ward has no female gospel doctrine teachers, and often two male speakers in Sacrament meeting. And why don’t women pray in GC? Or speak more often? It’s just one of those easy things that could be equal, you know?
I have never in my whole life as a member heard, noticed, or imagned there might be a gender association with who prays when in church! I wonder if I’ve been completely unobservant or if you’ve been in particularly old-school/mesogenistic wards or something! Hmmm…I will have to pay attention from now on and see…
I have never paid attention to sex of prayer givers. Ever. Didn’t know there was some underlying thing about it. Guess I will now.
I’ve given the closing talk in sacrament a couple times, which I guess is weird (although I had never noticed it is usually men until it was pointed out to me).